When was the last time you cleaned out your closet? When I want to get a better handle on my life, one of the first things I do is clean out my closet. Sometimes it just needs a little tidying up. But other times it needs to be a total reworking. To bring calm To energize To ignite hope To reclaim control To increase joy Often, the simplest transformation in our physical world has the capacity to profoundly transform our spirit and our soul. The same principle applies when it comes to the practice of cherishing motherhood. It's easy to let our calling overwhelm and get the best of us. Stuffing things and not really processing and organizing leaves us frazzled and complaining. Precious moments gifted are so easily eclipsed by the urgency of all that now claims. And both Continue Reading
You’re Not Just a Mom
How many times have you said to yourself or to someone else, "I'm just a mom?" How many times have you un-intentionally devalued your role in light of someone else's seemingly more important job? How many times have you disqualified yourself as a good mom when faced with another's apparent success? And how many times have you found yourself longing for something a bit more exciting and rewarding? It’s OK to be honest. Because the truth is always the best starting point. It's Ok to admit that "The World's Greatest Mom" banner might look better hanging above someone else's door. And it's Ok to confess that we really don't have it all figured out. But when these become labels which define us and hinder us from cherishing the gift of motherhood, it's time to do a little Continue Reading
5 Ways to Parent a Child in Their Bent
I don't consider myself an expert on raising children, but I am passionate about parenting! In this monumental task of parenting, we've all learned some things along the way. And to not share is to fail to encourage where we can. So I hope you'll view this series as just that - an encouragement for how to keep hope alive throughout the many facets of parenting. I remember frequently being in awe of how different each of my children were from one another. How personalities and interests could be so diverse left me curious and constantly learning in the midst of wanting so much for these three souls. And now so many years later, as I graduate my second from university, I'm reminded of how glorious different and unique really is. A History Professor who lives in China, a Continue Reading
Parenting Children in Who God Created Them to Be
Parenting isn't easy! The answers are rarely clear and the task of soul shaping doesn't include a step by step manual anyone can follow. It's rigorous and tiring and daunting. And it takes unimaginable courage and sacrifice over a lifetime. But it's also the adventure of a lifetime. One that sends our adrenaline shooting with each accomplishment and our tears flowing with every cute and contagious heart tug. We watch the life entrusted to our care. The wonder of every breath. And we hope... they will grow in character and strength they'll develop compassion and kindness their hearts will be honest and generous and good We hope our children will become all we imagine... and more than we can possibly imagine. Their dreams become our dreams, and we become the keeper Continue Reading